POP MUSIC | RECORD RACK

*** MAZZY STAR, "Among My Swan," Capitol

Guitarist David Roback and singer Hope Sandoval have mastered the art of making moody records that aren't ponderous. Mazzy Star's dreamlike, Velvet Underground-esque vibe remains compelling on its third album, another perfect soundtrack for solitude. Producer Roback, who's been fond of fuzzed-out guitar licks since his days in the L.A. "Paisley Underground" band Rain Parade, heavily laces these 12 tracks with distortion, making "Among My Swan" a bit spookier than 1993's "So Tonight That I Might See" and 1990's "She Hangs Brightly."

Although the atmosphere is aloof and spacey, Roback creates interesting musical textures throughout, and Sandoval's phantasmic deadpan never drones. Emotions are restrained but palpable on such tracks as the dramatic, mournful "Take Everything" and the subdued, yearning soul ballad "Look on Down From the Bridge." Not surprisingly, the most straight-forward number is the lilting first single, "I've Been Let Down," a gentle, acoustic-driven traveling song with a traditional country feel.

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